“Education is what survives when what has been learnt has been forgotten.” Beyond Freedom and Dignity is a book written by American psychologist B. F. Skinner and first published in 1971. The book argues that entrenched belief in free will and the moral autonomy of the individual (which Skinner referred to as “dignity”) hinders the prospect of using scientific methods to modify behavior […]

“Successful adult relationships, whether between lovers or friends, require a significant degree of vulnerability, trust, and openness” “If you really loved me…” “After all I’ve done for you…” “How can you be so selfish…” Do any of the above sound familiar? They’re all examples of emotional blackmail, a powerful form of manipulation in which people […]

The Power of TED* provides a uniquely hopeful way of responding to challenging times. This fable explores the shift from a Victim Orientation focused on the drama triangle roles of Victim, Persecutor and Rescuer to a Creator Orientation and its antidote roles of Creator, Challenger and Coach. How to make this shift happen elicits hope […]

“It is easier to fight for one’s principles than to live up to them.” As relevant today as when written, this timely reprint of a classic in individual psychology shows the way to increased understanding of ourselves and our role in society. What are we? What is our nature and our role? Where are we […]

“It is a positive and active anguish, a sort of psychical neuralgia wholly unknown to normal life.” Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness is U.S. writer William Styron’s memoir about his descent into depression, and the triumph of recovery. First published in December 1989 in Vanity Fair, the book grew out of a lecture that Styron originally delivered at a symposium […]

“It is understandable that the perspectives of men and women on safety are so different – men and women live in different worlds…at core, men are afraid women will laugh at them, while at core, women are afraid men will kill them.” True fear is a gift. Unwarranted fear is a curse. Learn how to […]

Caffeine. Candy. Sex. Shopping. Smoking. Whether we realize it or not, all of us have strategies for self-medicating ourselves when we feel threatened or overwhelmed by tension or tiredness. But why does one person respond to pressure by going for a five-mile run, while another indulges in a five-hour drinking marathon? Why do some of […]

“the most powerful mind is the quiet mind. It is the mind that is present, reflective, mindful of its thoughts and its state. It doesn’t often multitask, and when it does, it does so with a purpose.” Maria was born in Moscow, Russia and came to the United States when she was four years old. Her first […]

“While you can’t control your experiences, you can control your explanations.” A national bestseller, Authentic Happiness launched the revolutionary new science of Positive Psychology—and sparked a coast-to-coast debate on the nature of real happiness. According to esteemed psychologist and bestselling author Martin Seligman, happiness is not the result of good genes or luck. Real, lasting happiness comes […]

From TED.com David Logan talks about the five kinds of tribes that humans naturally form — in schools, workplaces, even the driver’s license bureau. By understanding our shared tribal tendencies, we can help lead each other to become better individuals. And it’s within these tribes that all of our work gets done. But not just work. It’s […]